What You Need To Do Before Lighting Your Fire
by Rebecca Armstrong
It seems like we’ve officially had the last of the summer weather. With the colder months returning, what is better than getting cosy and lighting your fire?
The flames of the fire bring a lovely autumnal feel to your home. If you’ve been thinking already about relighting your fire for the winter months, consider these points to make sure you and your family stay safe when doing so!
Most chimney fires that occurred in the UK happen due to an unswept flue. If you ignore your chimney maintenance you could potentially invalidate your house insurance! You are often unable to make a claim to property damage if there is a lack of maintenance to the property relating to the damage.
It’s easy to keep on top of your chimney maintenance and have a roaring fire this winter. We’d recommend booking in an annual chimney sweep towards the end of summer before you start using it regularly again. This will ensure you are at low risk of any unwanted fires occurring.
We also recommend you use the correct type of fuel for your fire. Wood that is freshly cut may contain lots of water- dry wood is better as it needs to contain less than 17% moisture.
Wet wood releases more pollutants and small particles into the atmosphere as it gives off more smoke than dry wood. You could also create a hazard by burning unseasoned wood. If you’re unsure about what wood you need for your fire or wood burning stove, please don’t hesitate to call us for some advice on 01287 236623. Our tip would be to always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations on air flow and fuel loading.
Another tip we recommend is to sweep your chimney! If you’re using wood or coal, the recommendation is to sweep the chimney quarterly when it is in use.
Our final tip would be to stay safe- ensure the fire has died down before you go out of the house or go to bed!
Stoves and fires are there to add heat to your home whilst looking great and keeping you cosy. Just follow the above tips and make sure you’re being safe this winter!
-
How To Decorate Your Oak Fireplace Beam For Christmas
The cold nights are officially here, and Christmas is just around the corner. One of the best things to do at Christmas is sit by the roaring fire whilst sipping...
-
What Makes Oak Fireplace Beams So Special
There are so many options when designing a fireplace, from cast iron surrounds to solid oak fireplace beams. We thought we would share with you why we think oak fireplace...
-
How To Decorate Your Shelves For Autumn 2022
Shelves are so much more than extra storage on an otherwise unused wall.
Decorating your shelves for the season ahead is a really simple way bring a whole new feel...
-
Common Misconceptions About Oak Beams
Here at Traditional Beams we have discovered there’s a few misconceptions about oak beams. These may deter some people from creating their dream fireplace which seems a...
-
Which Floating Shelf Is Right For You?
Choosing a floating shelf to suit your space is easy when you know how.
In this article, we will focus on finding the perfect floating shelves for...
-
How Far Above A Wood Burning Stove Can I Install An Oak Beam?
Here at Traditional Beams, we get asked this question a lot, however there are a few variables to consider when choosing the optimal place to install your oak fireplace beam.
...